Road maintenance machine



23, 1952 l.. H. ADAMS ROAD MAINTENANCE MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June l, 1949 INVENTOR.

l @da/9M Sept. 23, 1952 H, ADAMS 2,611,598

ROAD MAINTENANCE MACHINE Filed June l, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENToR.

BY l Mfgm Sept 23 1952 H. ADAMS ROAD MAINTENANCE MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 n NIIH INVENTOR. se, wam, @ZW M9/82m A T'ORN YS Filed June l, 1949 seeding.

patented sept. 23, 1957i Application June 1, 1949,seri a1NQ. 96,591 1 f 'l Claims.

This invention relates maintenance machines and more particularly has to do with an improved machine for removing ice and packed snow from highways. While my improved machine is especially adaptedvfor the removalof ice and packed snow, the machine is also useful for various other road work including maintaining gravel roads and doing away with washboard, scarifyng oil roads; for laying stabilized base materialsiilling holes left by sheep foot rollers and to loosen borrow pits for-new Packed snow and ice on paving have presented quite a removal problem. The ordinary straight blade commonly employed for this purpose does not perform satisfactorily.

A-'pri1nary object oi' the present invention is to provide an improved cutting blade unity adapted'to be mounted on graders, tractors and trucks, and also for use with one-way and V snow plows.

The invention comprehends a cutting blade unit including a beam to be attached to a motorpropelled vehicle to extendr transversely of the line of travel of thesame, and a multiplicity of elongatedv rectangular shaped relatively narrow cutting blades specially arranged -in'close formation lin a pluralityof rows extending longitudinallyof the beam to 'eiciently cut into, loosen, and remove ice and packed snow from a roadway.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a strong, sturdy cutting blade unit of the character referred toand to provide simple efficient means. providing for rigidly and detachably mounting the cutting blades on thel beam whereby the bladeswill be rmly supported on the beam and can be quickly mounted thereon and removed therefrom for replacement.

- A further object of the invention is to provide eiiicient, compactly arranged means for mounting the `cutting blade unit on a motor-propelled vehicle *for vertical adjustment relative to the roadway. v

The invention, with other objects, novel features, and advantages thereof, and the particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts comprising the same will be understood from the hereinafter contained detail description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof and illustrating one embodiment of the invention.

-In the drawings:

improvements in road i shown. Y

- Fig. 1 is a sidey elevation of a motor-propelled truck" having mounted thereon a cutting and scrapingl blade unit constructed in accordance withthepresentinvention; i i Y l f vsta'ntiallyv ilat lower end face 22.

"Fig is a Vdetail-1'ifm;gmeiitanf `ena @1e-tation, organ enlarged scale', 'ofthe cutting' and the'supporting means 'therefor'.

- Fig. 3 isY a detail perspeotiveview on the lower partof one ofthe guid bars. Fig. 4 is a detail horizontal section ofthe line r-Aofniga 1 f Fig-5 is a perspective View, to an enlargedscale, of the cutting and scraping blade unit supported on a truck, only part of the truck structure being Fig. 6 isa detail top plan vewof the cutting bladeunit. i 9 if, Fig. '7 is a front'el'evation of the cutting-blade Fig; 8 is a detail vertical sectionA on 8;8o fFig .6. Y- n l Fig. 9 is a detail perspective'view ofoneofthe cuttinglblades l li'ig. 10 is V aldetail perspective view of one'of the blade supporting plates with the reinforcing means therefor. l

Fig. l1 is a horizontal section on the line vl-l---H of Fig.2. While a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the' drawings, it will be under-l stood that minor changes and modifications may the line bemade in the particular construction shown and' I beam of substantial width, the same havingfa main at part or base I l; and straight side lflanges I8. 'I he beamgwhich is disposed with its channell facing upwardly, is relatively heavyandis reinforced at each side by aV ange IS'eXtending inwardly from. the side ange'- I8 substantially parallel with the base I1, and a'iiange'Z extending downwardly from the terminalmarginal por- K tion of the flange I9 to and 'joined with-the Ybase l'l..v Rigidly secured tothe beam at the underside thereofv are a multiplicity of elongatedrectangular shaped relatively narrow cutting blades- 21,-sai'd blades beingsnown as eeen havingy asini.- While the muesrzl ereof eibngatdf'orm,thesameare,

bled@ mit as shown in the drawings, of substantial width. The cuttingr blades 2i are arranged in close formation in two rows extending longitudinally of the beam with the blades of one row in staggered relation with the blades of the other row. The cutting blades are disposed at an inclination to the line of travel of the truck B. The blades of each row extend parallel with each other, and the blades of one row are disposed at anY angle to the blades ofthe other row.

Means is provided for rigidly and detachably securing the cutting blades 2l to the beam com-vprising rectangular shaped platesl 2'1 extending-I disposed. Each cylinder `it is equipped with a piston 45 provided with a rod 4B extending downwardly from the lower end of the cylinder and having its lower end positioned between and secured to a pair of spaced vertical ears 41 on one of the vertical guide bars i8 and 49 are conduits leading from the upper and lower parts of each of the hydraulic cylinders 44 to conventionalco'ntrol means (not shownb located in the cab b of the truck B. As will belfunderstood by regulating the pressure in the cylinders i4 at either side of the pistons d5, the cutting blade unit A can be moved vertically as desired to shaped and of subtsantially the same width' as the cutting blades 2|, arefeach reinforced -at the rearl side thereof at eachgendby gusset blocks 2 5. rI-he gusset blocks, which are shown triangu-Y larly shaped, lit against aside facevportion of the plate and an adjoining bottom face portion of the channel and are joined theretoY by welding. Each plate 2l is provided with aA bolt aperture 2S intermediate its side edges between the gusset blocks 28, and each blade 2i is provided with a bolt aperture 3S, each of the blades being adapted to be arranged with its upper end face` fitting against the bottom face of the beam and an adioining side face` portion fitting against oneV of the plates 2l, and being secured thereto bya bolt 3l and nut 32, the boltpassing through the apertures 29, 3l), in the blade and plate. This special arrangement affords a firm, rigid mounting for the blades 2l on the beam and at the same time provides for quick and easy assembly of the blades on the beam and removal of the same therefrom for replacement. The beam, which is shown as substantially straight; may be constructed-with any desired crown to correspond, generally to the `transverse contour of the roadway' to be operated on.

The cutter, blade unit A is supported on the truck B at the underside thereof for vertical adjustment byY a pairof guide bars sliclable in verticalguides S4 on opposite sides .'iv ofthe bodyofthe truck B and connected at their lower ends to opposite end portions of the beam of the cutter blade unit. On the channel beam of the cutter bladeunit at opposite end portionsthereof, are upstanding tubular bosses 3G, and each guide bar 33 is provided with spaced apertured horizontaljlugsi projecting forwardly; from the front side thereof. Each pair of the-spaced apertured lugs 31 is adapted tostraddlegone of the tubular bosses 3S and the adjoining end `portion of the beam as shown in Fig. 2 of thedrawings, and the,v

flanges 42 being secured to the ,side yof* the bodyA of the truck by bolts t3.V I

Cooperating with the guidestV and providing for the verticaladjustment of the cutting blade unit A, are a pair-of hydrauliccylinders M, one of the hydraulic cylinders being located at each side of the body ofV the truck B. and suitably secured thereto, said cylinders being vertically adjust the saine with the cutting blades or teeth 2l in proper position to operate upon the roadway or to elevate the cutting blade unit out of operative position.

inthe operation of the machine, the cutting blade unit A is adjusted vertically through the hydraulic cylinders. dll to properly positionthe cutting blades or teeth 2i relative to `the.roadwalto be treated. l As. theV truck B moves forwardly,- the multiplicity of A closely associatedl cutting blades or teeth 2i cut.- into and effectively loosen, the packed snow or ice, the loosened snow cr icel being deiiecjted laterally to one. side by therst row of cutting bladesor teeth, and then to theop-y posite side by the second row of cutting blades or teeth, the Vspecial construction 4and relative arrangement of the multiplicityof elongated relatively narrow rectangular shaped blades or teeth, providing for. athorough loosening and scraping of theV ice and packed snow from the'v roadway. The road maintenance machine as. described hereinbefore differs from thesocalled-` roadscari-e.- ersand road Scrapers. In the road scariers the. surface. of the roadway` is4 simply dugk upf by a toothed attaohmentto a vehiclefand `inmosty instances the scarifiers are. ofgthe heating' type, In other words, thesescariers 'withthe toothed attachments-rideA up andv downon theuneven. surfaces` of the road-way and simply rip1 it up and in this-ripping actionthe-ripped sur-facesot the roadwayv that are in` rather large pieces. or chunks are irregular in size. When this-scarify.- ing action has been accomplished then it isne.c essary to employ a different type of pulverizing machine to4 render the large and irregular size pieces o1" substantially uniform size.

As regards .the road Scrapers, such machines usually embody therewith a single blade., that is diagonally arranged withv respect tothe vehicle-` and this blade merely rips up the surface of the` roadway orlevels. itoff and there is no pulverizing action whatsoever. i

In. the present invention due to the: particular arrangement of the elongated-wide fiat rectangu larly shapedfrigid cutting blades. in-two rows and with the spaces. betweenthe rows. and eachl of the blades of the rowsandthefact that thebladesarein staggered relationI and that the blades ofl one row are disposed in an opposite but substan tially corresponding angle to the blades: in the other row, the result of shearing cuttingof the roadway surface, yand such surfacev may beficeV or packedV snow or. a combination-.of both or the actual surfaceof the` roadwayitself s uch asia so .calledbiacktoproadway surface or the surface may be earth orn similar to macadam, is accomplished. The present, roadway -maintenance machine includes means for xedly, holding,l the two aforesaid rows of blades, once adjusted, relativeY torthegvehicle to which; the bea-rn` with the blades attached thereto is attached.A 'Ihismeans that the beam Awith the-blades.-attacheddoesinot l thereof and depending therefrom,

oat 'suchl asj scarifl'ers do andthe-bottom .edges -fthefblades of the' present-invention are-` therefrom the marginal portion offeach of the last' mentioned reinforcing flanges. to and joinedwith the' base of the channelythe'beam' being disposed with itsv channel" facing upwardly, a tubular boss onone of the Vreinforcing anges near eachlend portion thereof `adjacent a side edge of the beam, a` vplurality of cuttingblades on said beam at the underside thereof'prolectingdownwardly there'- from, and meanssiipportingsaidv beam on the truck atjvthe underside thereof including a vertical guideon each side of the body of the truck, and a vertical guide bar at each side of the truck slidably engaging one of said tubular guides, each of said guide bars having a pair of spaced apertured ears thereon projecting forwardly from the front side thereof and straddling one of said bosses and the adjoining end portion of the beam, and a bolt and nut connecting each guide bar with the beam, the bolt passing through one of the tubular bosses, through apertures in the beam and the pair of apertured ears on the guide bar.

2. A road maintenance unit comprising a beam to be attached to a vehicle for raising and lowering relative thereto and disposed transversely of the line of travel of the same, a plurality of elongated wide flat rectangular spaced rigid cutting blades with wide opposite side faces and each having an upper end ixedly secured on said beam at the under side thereof and depending therefrom, the lower end of each blade being flat and presenting a cutting edge throughout the width thereof, said yblades being arranged relatively close together but havingspaces therebetween in two spaced rows extending longitudinally of the beam with the blades of one row disposed at an oblique angle to the horizontal axis of the-beam and in staggered relation to the blades of the other row, and the blades of the said other row being disposed at an opposite but substantially corresponding oblique angle to the blades in the said one row.

3. A road maintenance machine including a vehicle, a cutting and pulverizing unit comprising a beam to be attached to the vehicle and disposed transversely of the line of travel of the vehicle, a plurality of elongated broad flat rectangular rigid cutting blades having wide oppov site side faces and each blade having an upper end xedly secured on said beam at the under side the lower end of each blade being iiat and presenting a cutting edge throughout the width thereof, said blades being disposed relatively close together but havetc.- The necessityjof further pulverization of the oadway surface is thus obviated because the par- ,6" ing @spaces tiierebetween andivarranged. in Ltwci` spaced rows'exten'ding longitudinally of thebeanr with thebladesof one row disposed Vatiarrobliqucl to the horizontal .axisfoftliabeamrandinv stag-V gered relation tothe blades ofthejother row,the blades. of the said' other rowbeingudisposed at' an opposite but substantially corresponding 'oblique angle to' `the blades o'f. the first .mentioned row, means supporting said beam on the vehicle at the under side thereof for'v'ertical adjustment and disposed transversely of the'line of .travelf'of' the vehicle, and means for vertically adjusting" said beam to and maintaining the same ina iixedposition relative to 'the cvehicle with thecutting and pulverizing blades positioned tooperate upon` the roadway surface Yto shear cut an i'pulveri'ze the same, and to elevate andhold the'beamY in Va x'efd-position-with thel cutting and pulver-izing blades out'of operative-position. f5 f 4. A. road maintenance unit comprising a pegni to be attached to a vehicle and supported therefromtransversely of the'fline `of travel of fthe vehicle, front and rear rows of vertically disposed broad cutting blades projecting downwardly from said beam and having fiat front'and rear side faces and at their lower ends each hav'- ing a'straight transverse cutting edge-extending its vfull width, the blades of each row being spaced from each other longitudinally of the beam and also' spaced from the blades `of' the other'ijow transversely offthe beam and disposed in staggered relation'lthereto, the blades of-each row being rectangular' in horizontal cross section and disposed atan oblique angle transversely of the front side of the beam and extending in an opposite direction to the oblique angle of the blades of the said other row, mounting members for said blades consisting of a plurality of wide flat rectangular plates disposed vertically in flat faceto-face engagement with said blades and at their upper ends being rigidly secured to the underface of said beam and braced by webs extending rearwardly from opposite side edges of the plates, and fasteners passing through the plates and their companion blades, said blades extending be attached to a vehicle and disposed transversely of the line of travel of the vehicle, said beam having a flat bottom face, a plurality of vertically disposed broad iiat rectangular shaped cutting bladesprojecting downwardly from the under face of said beam, the blades being arranged in front and rear rows with the blades of each row in staggered relation to the blades of the other row, all of said blades being disposed in cross section at an oblique angle to the front side of the beam and -the oblique angle at which the blades of each row extend being in a direction opposite to the direction in which the blades of the other row extend, and means detachably and rigidly securing said blade to the beam and retaining the said blades at the said oblique angles, said blades each having at its lower end a straight transverse cutting edge extending its full width.

6. A road maintenance machine including a truck, a cutting and pulverizing unit comprising a channel beam of substantial width extending underl the truck transversely thereof and havingupstanding flanges along front and rear edges reinforced by horizontal flanges extending in- T xivardly freni; upper edges; Orthez-side anges in, upwardly spaced relation` to the bottom of the4 beann inner side; edges of the horizontal .flanges being spaeedzfromeach other transversely ofthe beater,andA supported by inner.` side. flanges extending f icmlnwardly therefromand at theirlower` edgea'beingfunited withthe bottom of the-beam and; therebyA providing the. bearnwith hollow side. portions extending. longitudinally of the, beam andfspaced; from each other transversely of the heam,. a plurality of blades under said beam eX tending; downwardly therefrom and arranged in front and rear rows disposed under said hollow front. and rear side; portions of the beam, the bladesiof eachrow being spaced from each other. longitudinally of;the-beamandfarranged in stag;-A gered-A relation tothe blades; of. the other, row,

' and-means for, suspending, thebeam from. the

truck and T(fertically adjusting the. position ofthe beamf.`l .y r l @ad maintenaneemachine including a tnneleei a putting-and: pulyerizing;i'unit,comprisingV abeanroi substantial-width extending underthe truelectransnersely thereof, a plurality of. blades undersaidtbeamextending downwardly;l there from and arranged. in front, and rear rows, the bladesv of each row being spaced from-eachother. longitudinally of the beam and; disposedinstale;-V

gered'. relationa to the blades in the-other rowijur biliaribossest extending upwardly from opposite. end portionsof. saidbeamadjacent the rear side edge thepeof, means supportinggsaid beam nndeigsaidgtruck includingg a vertical. guide; on

ea'chsideof the body` of the :truckr a: vertical; bari. slidable verticallythrough each guider;A each bar. havingupperandv lower perforated. ears project.-r ing forwardlyl therefrom. the Vupper.l ears.- being, disposed over said tubular bosses', andthe lower. ears extending f under the rear. Aside portion.v of thefbeam', andl bolts passingv vertically through. the earsand alsoithroughsaid beamiandlhavinga nuts applied theretoto hold the bolts in p1ace, andmeans for shifting said bars verticallythrough' theA guides and holding the bars. in acl-,- justed positions with the beamV andsaid blades in a set position relative to the surfaceiofaroad: along which thetruck moves..

Loynj H.

p REFEanNonsg'oITED v The following referencesA are of record mathe' of, this: patent: p

v 'UmTEDsTA'rEs-PATENTS Number v l Y v Name l DateL `1,055,529 Headley Mar.. 11,1913,` v I1,462,120.Y Monroe J'u1y 111923' 2,002,431- Church May 211'935v 2,042,196 *t Senz May 26,1193()Y 2,136,614; Harley f. Nov. 15`1'938 2,450,9U5, M'Ork Oct. 121948` .FUl'tEIGNl PATENTS Number Country` Date- 180;785f Great'Britain` Jime8; 1922 

